Interconnected electrode display means

ABSTRACT

A multiple-character display device in which characters are displayed by selective energization of electrodes in sets, with one set of electrodes being provided for each character. Corresponding electrodes in different character sets are interconnected by conductors which are interwoven through spaces between electrodes in the character sets to form continuous paths, thus eliminating the need for external connections for each electrode of each character. Two embodiments of character sets are disclosed, with one embodiment employing a two-stage mode of operation.

United States Patent Skutt [451 Jan. 16, 1973 [54} INTERCONNECTED ELECTRODE Primary Examiner-John Kominski DISPLAY MEANS Attorney-J. T. Cavender et al.

[75] Inventor: Robert R. Skutt, Dayton, Ohio [57] ABSTRACT [73] Assignee: The National a Register A multiple-character display device in which characpanyDaytomohlo ters are displayed by selective energization of elec- 22 Fil d- 12 1971 trodes in sets, with one set of electrodes being provided for each character. Corresponding electrodes in [21] Appl- 198284 different character sets are interconnected by conductors which are interwoven through spaces between 5 J's-CL 3 95 3 2 3 5 TV ClBCII'OdCS in the character SCIS IO form continuous [51] Int CL I "Hush 37/00 paths, thus eliminating the need for external connec- [58] Field of seallch 313/109 5 2 315/169 TV tions for each electrode of each character. Two embodiments of character sets are disclosed, with one [56] References Cited embodiment employing a two-stage mode of operation.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 17 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 3.588.571 6"l97l Uemura ..3l3/l09.5

INTERCONNECTEI) ELECTRODE DISPLAY MEANS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to display devices, and particularly to display devices which include a plurality of sets of character-forming electrodes with one set being provided for each character to be displayed.

2. Description of the Prior Art Display devices which produce illumination corresponding to a particular pattern upon the application of an electrical potential across the display device are well-known. Devices of this type are exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 3,559,190, issued Jan. 26, 1971, inventors D. L. Bitzer et al. That patent is directed to a plasma display apparatus for information storage and display having a bistable discharge cell with memory characteristics arising from charge storage on the cell walls.

The use in display devices of character-forming electrode matrices capable of displaying a number of different characters in accordance with the particular combination of electrodes selected is also well-known. Devices of this type are exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 2,966,6l6, issued Dec. 27, 1960, inventor D. H. Mash; U.S. Pat. No. 3,237,040, issued Feb. 22, 1966, inventor G. A. Kupsky; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,346,759, issued Oct. 10, 1967, inventor A. J. Hardwick. The Mash and Kupsky patents show different arrangements of electrode matrices and associated control circuitry, while the Hardwick patent shows two different forms of electrode matrices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to multiple-character display devices having a plurality of sets of character-forming electrodes, with each set constituting a matrix from which characters can be formed by energization of selected electrodes. Corresponding electrodes for the various sets are interconnected by conductors, so that application of potential to a given conductor results in the application of potential simultaneously to at least one electrode in each set. Each character set of electrodes functions in cooperation with at least one common for that character, so that a given electrode of a given character set may be selected by simultaneous application of potential to the conductor associated with that electrode and the common associated with that character.

In a first disclosed embodiment, each electrode of each character set is connected to a single corresponding electrode of each of the other sets. The application of potential to a desired combination of the electrodes, plus the application of a complementary potential to the single common associated with the selected character set, produces the desired display.

In the second of the embodiments disclosed herein, a plurality of electrodes of each character set are interconnected by a conductor, and connected to corresponding electrodes of the other character sets by the same conductor. In this embodiment, two commons are employed for each character set. Display of a given character is accomplished in a two-stage mode of operation, with the display having the appearance to a viewer of being continuously uniformly energized, due to the visual retention time of the human brain.

The conductors interconnecting corresponding electrodes of the various character sets extend through spaces between electrodes of the same set in co-planar relation to the character electrodes to form continuous conducting paths without cross-overs. This eliminates the need for external connections for each electrode of each character display, and greatly simplifies fabrication and assembly of the display device.

In the present application, the display devices illustrated are of the plasma display type, in which a suitable ionizable gas is confined within a cell having at least one transparent wall, said gas producing a visible glow upon the application of an electrical potential across the cell within which the gas is confined. However, the present invention is not limited to displays of the plasma type, and could be used in other types of displays in which a plurality of sets of character-forming electrodes are required.

One illustration of another type of plasma display device in which one embodiment of the interconnected character electrode arrangement of the present application is disclosed is the copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 56,396, filed July 20, 1970, inventor J. L. Janning, assigned to the assignee of the present application. A showing of one embodiment of the interconnected character electrode arrangement of the present application is also included in the copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 175,878, filed Aug. 30, 1971, inventor J. L. Janning, assigned to the assignee of the present application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view showing sets of character elec' trodes and associated interconnecting conductors on a supporting member in a configuration constituting a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of a plasma display panel employing the character electrode configuration of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing sets of character electrodes and associated interconnecting conductors in a configuration constituting a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric view of a plasma display panel employing the character electrode configuration of the embodiment of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, and a first embodiment of the invention shown there, a plasma display panel 8 is shown in exploded form in FIG. 2, and includes a rear plate 10, a transparent front plate 12, and an opaque central member 14, which is interposed between the plates 10 and 12. The inside surfaces of the plates 10 and 12 face each other.

The display panel 8 may be considered to be divided into a number of character areas, with each individual area being capable of displaying a character. The shape of the character to be displayed is determined by selective application of potentials, in a manner to be sub sequently described, to one or more of a plurality of character electrodes 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, and 28 of each character set 30. All of these electrodes, as well as the conductors interconnecting them, may be deposited or otherwise placed on the inside surface of the rear plate by any one of a number of well-known techniques. A thin transparent dielectric layer 32 of glass or other suitable material is applied over the electrodes and conductors on the inside surface of the rear plate 10.

Apertures 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, and 48 are provided in the central member 14 in each character area, and are positioned to be in superimposed registry with respect to the corresponding electrodes on the rear plate 10 for each character area. These apertures serve to confine the gaseous medium employed in the plasma display to cells of the desired configuration, properly positioned with respect to the character electrodes. In addition, the central member 14, being opaque, serves as a mask to limit the illuminated portions of the display to those areas representing segments of the display characters.

A transparent common electrode 50 is provided on the inside surface of the front plate 12 for each character area, and is of such configuration as to overlie all of the individual electrodes on the rear plate 10 for the corresponding character area. A thin transparent dielectric layer 52 of glass or other suitable material is applied over the common electrodes 50 on the inside surface of the front plate 12.

As is well-known in the plasma display art, the plasma display panel 8 is assembled by placing the central member 14 between the front and rear plates 12 and 10, sealing the panel along its edges by a glass frit or other suitable means, evacuating the air from the sealed panel, and introducing an ioniz able gas of the proper composition to a desired pressure. The panel may then be operated by simultaneous application of potentials to one of the common electrodes 50, and one or more selected character electrodes, to produce a character display.

The means by which potentials may be applied to selected electrodes of each character set will now be described. Examination of FIG. 1 reveals that a conductor connects each electrode ofa character set to the corresponding electrodes of all'of the other character sets, and to an electrical terminal to which a source of potential may be applied. For example, a continuous conductor 54 is connected to all of the electrodes 16,

and to a terminal 56. A continuous conductor 58 is connected to all of the electrodes 28 and to a terminal 60. The conductors 54 and 58 are located on the rear plate 10 exteriorly of the sets of character electrodes and are connected to their respective electrodes by short branch conductors.

The remainder of the conductors which interconnect corresponding character electrodes of the various character sets are interior conductors extending between electrodes which form continuous paths terminating in terminals aligned with the previously described terminals 56 and 60. In order to maintain a co-planar relationship with the character electrodes and other conductors, and to avoid cross-overs of electrodes or other conductors, these conductors from paths from electrode to electrode through spaces between electrodes in the various character sets. For

example, it may be seen that a conductor 62, which interconnects the electrodes 22, and which is connected to a terminal 64, passes between the electrodes 18 and 24, and between the electrodes 20 and 26, in each character set. It may readily be seen that other conductors follow similar paths.

The arrangement shown in FIG. 1, in which all of the conductors, as well as all of the character electrodes,

are located in co-planar relation in direct contact with the inner surface of the rear plate 10, enables all of these elements to be laid down at one time, by deposition or other suitable means. This greatly simplifies the fabrication process, and also simplifies assembly, since no individual connections of conductors to the various character electrodes need be made. It also eliminates the likelihood of errors in making electrical connections, since such connections are automatically made as a part of the process of laying down the electrodes and conductors.

In addition to the character electrodes, an electrode 66 is provided for on the rear plate 10 designating an indicium such as a decimal point, and is connected by a conductor 68 to a terminal 70. Also a plurality of keep-alive" electrodes 72, one for each character set 30, are provided on the rear plate 10, and are connected by a conductor 74 to a terminal76. The keepalive electrodes, as is well-known, maintain a minimum degree of ionization of the adjacent gaseous medium employed in the display, thereby decreasing the potential difference required to effect initial ionization of the gas in the adjacent area.

Cooperating common electrodes 78 and 80 on the front plate 12 are provided for the electrode 66 and the keep-alive electrodes 72, and may be interconnected, as shown in FIG. 2, to actually constitute only one electrode. An aperture 82 in the central member 14 is provided in registry with the electrode 66. Apertures 84in the central member 14 are provided in registry with the keep-alive electrodes 72. Since these electrodes are used purely for the purpose of maintaining a degree of ionization in the adjacent gaseous medium, and since it is not necessary that the illumination from these electrodes be visible in the display, the common electrode 80 may be opaque rather than transparent, if desired. However, the common electrode 78 is transparent, to enable the indicium represented by the electrode 66 to be viewed.

The operation of the plasma display panel shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will now be described. Ionization of the gas in a plasma display device is initiated by an alternating electric field which causes an electron multiplication process to occur within a selected cell of the device. This multiplication process proceeds until breakdown occurs; i.e., a gaseous discharge occurs within the cell. The ionization will conform generally to the configuration of the character electrode, which in the present case is coextensive with the cell. The parameters involved in producing the ionization for the desired illumination include the potential applied across the cell, the distance between electrodes across the cell, the thickness and dielectric constant of the coating over the electrodes, and the pressure of the gas contained in the cell. The ionization provides the illumination conforming to the shape of the electrode pattern (and the cell, in the present case), said illumination providing a portion of the total display to a viewer.

The ionization occurring within the cell also provides it with a memory, since said ionization results in the deposition of charged particles on the dielectric layers forming the inner surfaces of the rear and front plates and 12. Positive charges are deposited on the inner cell wall surface capacitively coupled to the electrode to which negative potential is being applied, and electrons are deposited on the inner cell wall surface capacitively coupled to the electrode to which a positive potential is being applied. These charges are trapped on the cell walls because of the capacitive coupling effect exerted by the cell walls. It can be seen that the deposited wall charge has a polarity which is opposite to that of the potential initiating the ionization. Therefore, on the succeeding reverse cycle, the wall charge will be additive to the applied potential, thereby assuring ignition on the succeeding reverse cycle and also lowering the criticality of maintaining the applied potential at one specific value. In other words, after the first ionization, the voltage necessary to sustain the ignition can be of a magnitude which is equal to the original applied potential less the wall charge.

As previously mentioned, application of potential to one or more of the terminals such as 64 at the right side of the display panel as viewed in FIG. 1 causes all of the character electrodes, such as 22, for all of the character areas with which said terminal is associated, to be at substantially the same potential level as the terminal. The particular terminals to which potential is applied are selected in accordance with the character which is to be displayed. Thus, if a 2" is to be displayed, potential would be applied to the terminals associated with the electrodes 16, 20, 22, 24, and 28.

Since corresponding character electrodes for all of the character areas are connected for simultaneous application of potential thereto, only one character at a time can be displayed, and the particular character to be displayed is selected by simultaneous application of suitable potential to the common 50 associated therewith. By means of this coordinate system of selection, in which the two potentials applied to the electrodes on the front and rear plates are sufficiently additive to cause a gaseous discharge, but neither potential is sufficient alone, a selected character in a selected character area may be displayed. By serially alternating the character areas displayed, and repeating the display of given character areas at suitable short-time intervals, a line display is produced which appears to be constantly illuminated, due to the retentivity of vision of the viewer, as is well-known. It should be understood that other modes of operation of the display can also be employed if desired. For example, the segment electrode terminals may be sequentially energized, with simultaneous energization of those commons associated with characters in which the selected segments form a part of the character display.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. This embodiment differs from the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 in having two common electrodes per character area, and in having a larger number of character electrodes per character area. This larger number of character electrodes permits the display ofa much larger number of characters. The embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 is capable of numerical display only, while the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 is capable of alphabetic, as well as numeric, display.

A display panel 88 includes a rear plate 90, a transparent front plate 92, and an opaque central member 94, which is interposed between the plates 90 and 92. The inside surfaces of the plates 90 and 92 face each other.

As in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the display panel 88 of FIGS. 3 and 4 may be considered to be divided into a number of character areas, with each individual area being capable of displaying a character. The shape of the character to be displayed is determined by selective application of potentials, in a manner to be subsequently described, in a two-stage mode, to one or more of a plurality of character electrodes 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, and 118 (FIG. 3). It will be noted that two of the electrodes, 96 and 108, are shaped in the form of a T and an inverted T, respectively, and that other correspondingpairs of electrodes, on the left and right sides of each character area, such as the electrodes 98 and 110, I00 and 112, 102 and 114, 104 and 118, and 106 and 116, are interconnected by conductors, so that a potential applied to one of these is also applied to the other. All of these electrodes, as well as the conductors which interconnect them, may be deposited or otherwise placed on the inside surface of the rear plate 90 by any one of a number of well-known techniques. A thin transparent dielectric layer 120, of glass or other suitable material, is applied over the electrodes and conductors on the inside surface of the rear plate 90.

Apertures such as the aperture 122 are provided in i the central member 94 in each character area. Apertures are provided and located so as to overlie each of the electrodes on the rear plate 90 when the plasma display device 88 is assembled. These apertures serve to confine the gaseous medium employed in the plasma display to cells of the desired configuration, properly positioned with respect to the character electrodes. In addition, the central member 94, being opaque, serves as a mask to limit the illuminated portions of the display to those areas representing segments of the display characters.

Two complementary transparent common electrodes 124 and 126 (FIG. 4) are provided on the inside surface of the front plate 92 for each character area, and

-' are of such configuration as together to overlie all of the individual electrodes on the rear plate for the corresponding character area. A thin transparent dielectric layer 128, of glass or other suitable material, is applied over the common electrodes 124 and 126 on the inside surface of the front plate 92.

As is well-known in the plasma display art, the plasma display panel 88 is assembled by placing the central member 94 between the front and rear plates 92 and 90, sealing the panel along its edges by a glass frit or other suitable means, evacuating the air from the sealed panel, and introducing an ionizable gas of the proper composition to a desired pressure. The panel may then be operated by simultaneous application of potentials to one of the common electrodes and one or more selected character electrodes, to produce a character display.

The means by which potentials may be applied to selected electrodes of each character set of the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 will now be described. As mentioned previously, certain of the electrodes on the left side of each character set are connected to corresponding electrodes on the right side of each set. In addition, conductors are provided on the rear plate 90 which interconnect all of the corresponding electrodes of the various character sets, and which connect these electrodes to corresponding terminals on the rear plate 90. For example, a continuous conductor 130 is connected to all of the electrodes 96 and to a terminal 132.

A continuous conductor 134 is connected to all of the electrodes 108 and to a terminal 136. The conductors 130 and 134 are located on the rear plate 90 exteriorly of the sets of character electrodes and are connected to their respective electrodes by short branch conductors.

The remainder of the conductors which interconnect corresponding character electrodes of the various character sets are interior conductors extending between electrodes, thus forming continuous paths terminating in terminals aligned with the previouslydescribed terminals 132 and 136.1n order to maintain a co-planar relationship with the character electrodes and other conductors, and to avoid cross-overs of electrodes or other conductors, these conductors form paths from electrode to electrode through spaces between electrodes in the various character sets. For

example, it may be seen that a conductor 138, which interconnects the pairs of electrodes 102, 114 of each set, and which is connected to a terminal 140, passes between the electrodes 100 and 104, and between the electrodes I12 and 118, in each character set. It may readily be seen that other conductors follow similar paths.

The arrangement shown in FIG. 3, in which all of the conductors, as well as all of the character electrodes, are located in co-planar relation in direct contact with the inner surface of the rear plate 90, provides the same advantages in fabrication and assembly as were previously described in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 1.

Other plasma display panel design features which were described in connection with the embodiment of FIG. I, but which are not shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3, such as the special indicium electrode 66 and the keep-alive electrodes 72, and corresponding common electrodes, could also be provided for the latter embodiment, if desired.

The operation of the embodiment of the plasma display panel shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 will now be described. Since a description of the manner in which the gaseous medium of the plasma display panel ionizes and produces illumination when a potential difference is applied thereto was provided in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 1, this will not be repeated.

Application of potential to one or more of the terminals on the rear plate 90, such as the terminal 140, causes all of the character electrodes, such as the electrodes 102 and 114, for all of the character areas, with which said terminal is associated, to be at substantially the same potential level as the terminal. In order to avoid the need for a very large number of individual conductors and terminals which would be needed if each individual electrode in a given character set had a different conductor associated with it, a number of electrodes In each character set are paired, to share the same conductor and terminal. Since it may be desired in the display of certain characters to energize the gas adjacent to one electrode of 21 joined pair, while the gas '7 adjacent to the other electrode of the pair remains unenergized, means must be provided to enable the selection of only one electrode of a pair, even though the same potential is applied to both electrodes through the same conductor. This is accomplished by'the utilization of two common electrodes per character area on the front plate 92, as previously mentioned, and by the selective application of potential to only one of these common electrodes at a time.

Since the total potential difference needed to discharge the gas in a given cell associated with one of the character electrodes is produced only by the combined difference of potentials applied to the character electrodes and the common electrodes, it will be seen that only one of the electrodes of a joined pair, such as the electrodes 102 and 114, will be effective to produce a discharge in the associated gas cell, since only one of the two associated common electrodes 124 and 126 for a given character area will be energized at any one time.

With respect to the T shaped character electrodes 96 and 108, it will be noted that while each of these is in the form of a single integral electrode, the shapes of the associated common electrodes are such that the common electrode which overlies the horizontal portion 'of each electrode 96 and 108 does not overlie the vertical portion of that same character electrode, but rather overlies the vertical portion of the other character electrode. Therefore only a portion of either of the electrodes 96 and 108 will be energized at any one time.

It will be clear from the above that due to the use of two common electrodes for each character area, there will be only a partial display of a given character at any one time, since only one of the two common electrodes 124 and 126 will have the necessary potential applied thereto at any one time. However, the frequency of the alternation of potential between the two common electrodes, and simultaneously between selected character electrodes on the right and left sides, is such that due to the retention of vision by the viewer, a single complete character appears to be displayed. Retention of vision of the viewer also provides the appearance of simultaneous display of multiple characters on the display panel 88, even though the individual characters are actually serially energized, since the individual periods of gas discharge for portions of characters are sufficiently short to permit the display of multiple characters.

What is'claimed is:

1. In a multiple-character display device, the combination comprising a first supporting member;

a plurality of identical sets of character-forming electrodes on said supporting member;

' connector means on said supporting member in coplanar relation to said character-forming electrodes for electrically connecting corresponding electrodes in each set to enable an electrical potential to be applied simultaneously to at least one given electrode in each set, each electrode of 9 each set being connected to one of said co-planar connector means to form continuous conducting paths;

a second supporting member;

at least one common electrode for each set on said second supporting member; and

means associated with the corresponding common electrode for each set to enable a potential to be applied thereto, whereby a potential difference of predetermined magnitude may be produced between selected character-forming electrodes of each set and a common electrode for that set.

2. In a multiple-character display device, the combination comprising a first supporting member;

a plurality of identical sets of character-forming electrodes on said supporting member;

connector means on said supporting member electrically connecting corresponding electrodes in each set to enable an electrical potential to be applied simultaneously to at least one given electrode in each set, certain of said connector means extending through spaces on the supporting member between adjacent electrodes of the same set, and forming, with the electrodes to which they are connected, continuous conducting paths;

a second supporting member;

at least one common electrode for each set on said second supporting member; and

means associated with the corresponding common electrode for each set to enable a potential to be applied thereto, whereby a potential difference of predetermined magnitude may be produced between selected character-forming electrodes of each set and a common electrode for that set.

3. A plasma display device of the type wherein a plurality of gas-containing character cells are utilized for the display of intelligence comprising, in combination,

a first plate;

a plurality of identical sets of character-forming electrodes on said first plate;

connector means on said first plate in co-planar relation to said character-forming electrodes for electrically connecting corresponding electrodes in each set to enable an electrical potential to be applied simultaneously to at least one given electrode in each set, each electrode of each set being connected to one of said co-planar connector means to form continuous conducting paths;

a second plate;

at least one common electrode on said second plate for each set; a central member positioned between said first and second plates for defining said character cells;

means for sealing said first plate, said central member, and said second plate together, thereby forming a gas-tight structure;

an excitable gas filling said character cells; and

means associated with the corresponding common electrodes for the sets to enable a potential to be applied thereto, whereby a potential difference of predetermined magnitude may be produced between selected character-forming electrodes of each set and a common electrode for that set.

4. A plasma display device of the type wherein a plurality of gas-containing character cells are utilized for the display of intelligence comprising, in combination,

a first plate;

a plurality of identical sets of character-forming electrodes on said first plate;

connector means on said first plate electrically connecting corresponding electrodes in each set to enable an electrical potential to be applied simultaneously to at least one given electrode in each set, certain of said connector means extending through spaces on said first plate between adjacent electrodes of the same set, and forming, with the electrodes to which they are connected, continuous conducting paths;

a second plate;

at least one common electrode on said second plate for each set; a central member positioned between said first and second plates for defining said character cells;

means for sealing said first plate, said central member, and said second plate together, thereby forming a gas-tight structure;

an excitable gas filling said character cells; and

means associated with corresponding common electrodes for the sets to enable a potential to be applied thereto, whereby a potential difference of predetermined magnitude may be produced between selected character-forming electrodes of each set and a common electrode for that set to produce a character display corresponding to the selected electrodes.

5. The plasma display device of claim 4 in which the sets of character-forming electrodes and the common electrodes are coated by a thin dielectric layer.

6. The plasma display device of claim 4 in which a keep-alive electrode is disposed adjacent each set of character-forming electrodes.

7. The plasma display device of claim 6 in which all of the keep-alive electrodes are interconnected by connector means on said first plate to enable a continuous electrical potential to be applied to all of the keep-alive electrodes during operation of the plasma display panel.

8. The plasma display device of claim 4 in which an electrode for representation of a decimal point is included on said first plate.

9. The plasma display device of claim 4 in which only I one character-forming electrode of each set is connected to each connector means.

10. The plasma display device of claim 4 in which each set of character-forming electrodes is in the form of a seven-bar matrix.

11. The plasma display device of claim 4 in which two character-forming electrodes of each set are connected to certain of the connector means.

12. The plasma display device of claim 11 in which two common electrodes are provided on said second plate for each set.

13. Theplasma display device of claim 12 in which each set of character-forming electrodes is in the form of a matrix capable of forming alpha-numeric characters.

14. The plasma display device of claim 4 in which all of the connector means are carried to a given location on said first plate to facilitate electrical connection of the plasma display device.

15. A plasma display device of the type wherein a plurality of gas-containing character cells are utilized for the display of intelligence comprising, in combination,

a first plate;

a plurality of identical sets of character-forming electrodes on said first plate;

connector means on said first plate in co-planar relation to said character-forming electrodes for electrically connecting corresponding electrodes in each set to enable an electrical potential to be applied simultaneously to at least one given electrode in each set, each electrode of each set being connected to one of said co-planar connector means to form continuous conducting paths;

a second plate;

left and right common electrodes on said second plate for each set;

a central member positioned between said first and second plates for defining said character cells;

means for sealing said first plate, said central member, and said second plate together, thereby forming a gas-tight structure;

an excitable gas filling said character cells; and

means associated with the corresponding left and right common electrodes of the sets to enable a potential to be applied sequentially to one and then the other of the left and right common electrodes of the various sets, whereby a potential difference of predetermined magnitude .may be produced between selected character-forming electrodes of each set and the corresponding left or right common electrode of the set, to produce sequentially a character display corresponding to the selected character-forming electrodes on one and then the other of the left and right portions of each set.

16. A plasma display device of the type wherein a plurality of gas-containing character cells are utilized for the display of intelligence comprising, in combination,

a first plate;

a plurality of identical sets of character-forming electrodes on said first plate, each set including a plurality of left-side electrodes, a plurality of rightside electrodes, and a plurality of central electrodes;

connector means on said first plate in co-planar relation to said character-forming electrodes for electrically connecting corresponding electrodes in each set to enable an electrical potential to be applied simultaneously to corresponding selected electrodes in each set, certain of said connector means electrically connecting the corresponding central electrodes of each set, and certain of said connector means electrically connecting a combination of a left-side and a right-side electrode of a given set with corresponding electrodes of the other sets;

a second plate;

left and right common electrodes on said second plate for each set;

a central member positioned between said first and second plates for defining said character cells;

means for sealing said first plate, said central member, and said second plate together, thereby forming a gas-tight structure;

an excitable gas filling said character cells; and

means associated with the corresponding left and right common electrodes of the sets to enable a potential to be applied sequentially to one and then the other of the left and right common electrodes of the various sets, whereby a potential difference of predetermined magnitude may be produced between selected characterforming electrodes of each set and the corresponding left or right common electrode of the set, to produce sequentially a character display corresponding to one and then the other of the selected left-side and right-side character-forming electrodes, together with corresponding portions of the central character-forming electrodes.

17. The plasma display device of claim 16 in which the left-side and right-side electrodes of each set which are connected by the connector means are symmetrical with respect to each other.

Disclaimer 3,711,733.--R0bert R. Skutt, Dayton, Ohio, INTERCONNECT'ED ELEC- TRODE DISPLAY MEANS. Patent dated Jan. 16, 1973. Disclaimer filed May 9, 1983, by the assignee, NCR Corp. Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 1 and 3 of said patent.

[Official Gazette August 30, 1983.] 

1. In a multiple-character display device, the combination comprising a first supporting member; a plurality of identical sets of character-forming electrodes on said supporting member; connector means on said supporting member in co-planar relation to said character-forming electrodes for electrically connecting corresponding electrodes in each set to enable an electrical potential to be applied simultaneously to at least one given electrode in each set, each electrode of each set being connected to one of said co-planar connector means to form continuous conducting paths; a second supporting member; at least one common electrode for each set on said second supporting member; and means associated with the corresponding common electrode for each set to enable a potential to be applied thereto, whereby a potential difference of predetermined magnitude may be produced between selected character-forming electrodes of each set and a common electrode for that set.
 2. In a multiple-character display device, the combination comprising a first supporting member; a plurality of identical sets of character-forming electrodes on said supporting member; connector means on said supporting member electrically connecting corresponding electrodes in each set to enable an electrical potential to be applied simultaneously to at least one given electrode in each set, certain of said connector means extending through spaces on the supporting member between adjacent electrodes of the same set, and forming, with the electrodes to which they are connected, continuous conducting paths; a second supporting member; at least one common electrode for each set on said second supporting member; and means associated with the corresponding common electrode for each set to enable a potential to be applied thereto, whereby a potential difference of predetermined magnitude may be produced between selected character-forming electrodes of each set and a common electrode for that set.
 3. A plasma display device of the type wherein a plurality of gas-containing character cells are utilized for the display of intelligence comprising, in combination, a first plate; a plurality of identical sets of character-forming electrodes on said first plate; connector means on said first plate in co-planar relation to said character-forming electrodes for electrically connecting corresponding electrodes in each set to enable an electrical potential to be applied simultaneously to at least one given electrode in each set, each electrode of each set being connected to one of said co-planar connector means to form continuous conducting paths; a second plate; at least one common electrode on said second plate for each set; a central member positioned between said first and second plates for defining said character cells; means for sealing said first plate, said central member, and said second plate together, thereby forming a gas-tight structure; an excitable gas filling said character cells; and means associated with the corresponding common electrodes for the sets to enable a potential to be applied thereto, whereby a potential difference of predetermined magnitude may be produced between selected character-forming electrodes of each set and a common electrode for that set.
 4. A plasma display device of the type wherein a plurality of gas-containing character cells are utilized for the display of intelligence comprising, in combination, a first plate; a plurality of identical sets of character-forming electrodes on said first plate; connector means on said first plate electrically connecting corresponding electrodes in each set to enable an electrical potential to be applied simultaneously to at least one given electrode in each set, certain of said connector means extending through spaces on said first plate between adjacent electrodes of the same set, and forming, with the electrodes to which they are connected, continuous conducting paths; a second plate; at least one common electrode on said second plate for each set; a central member positioned between said first and second plates for defining said character cells; means for sealing said first plate, said central member, and said second plate together, thereby forming a gas-tight structure; an excitable gas filling said character cells; and means associated with corresponding common electrodes for the sets to enable a potential to be applied thereto, whereby a potential difference of predetermined magnitude may be produced between selected character-forming electrodes of each set and a common electrode for that set to produce a character display corresponding to the selected electrodes.
 5. The plasma display device of claim 4 in which the sets of character-forming electrodes and the common electrodes are coated by a thin dielectric layer.
 6. The plasma display device of claim 4 in which a keep-alive electrode is disposed adjacent each set oF character-forming electrodes.
 7. The plasma display device of claim 6 in which all of the keep-alive electrodes are interconnected by connector means on said first plate to enable a continuous electrical potential to be applied to all of the keep-alive electrodes during operation of the plasma display panel.
 8. The plasma display device of claim 4 in which an electrode for representation of a decimal point is included on said first plate.
 9. The plasma display device of claim 4 in which only one character-forming electrode of each set is connected to each connector means.
 10. The plasma display device of claim 4 in which each set of character-forming electrodes is in the form of a seven-bar matrix.
 11. The plasma display device of claim 4 in which two character-forming electrodes of each set are connected to certain of the connector means.
 12. The plasma display device of claim 11 in which two common electrodes are provided on said second plate for each set.
 13. The plasma display device of claim 12 in which each set of character-forming electrodes is in the form of a matrix capable of forming alpha-numeric characters.
 14. The plasma display device of claim 4 in which all of the connector means are carried to a given location on said first plate to facilitate electrical connection of the plasma display device.
 15. A plasma display device of the type wherein a plurality of gas-containing character cells are utilized for the display of intelligence comprising, in combination, a first plate; a plurality of identical sets of character-forming electrodes on said first plate; connector means on said first plate in co-planar relation to said character-forming electrodes for electrically connecting corresponding electrodes in each set to enable an electrical potential to be applied simultaneously to at least one given electrode in each set, each electrode of each set being connected to one of said co-planar connector means to form continuous conducting paths; a second plate; left and right common electrodes on said second plate for each set; a central member positioned between said first and second plates for defining said character cells; means for sealing said first plate, said central member, and said second plate together, thereby forming a gas-tight structure; an excitable gas filling said character cells; and means associated with the corresponding left and right common electrodes of the sets to enable a potential to be applied sequentially to one and then the other of the left and right common electrodes of the various sets, whereby a potential difference of predetermined magnitude may be produced between selected character-forming electrodes of each set and the corresponding left or right common electrode of the set, to produce sequentially a character display corresponding to the selected character-forming electrodes on one and then the other of the left and right portions of each set.
 16. A plasma display device of the type wherein a plurality of gas-containing character cells are utilized for the display of intelligence comprising, in combination, a first plate; a plurality of identical sets of character-forming electrodes on said first plate, each set including a plurality of left-side electrodes, a plurality of right-side electrodes, and a plurality of central electrodes; connector means on said first plate in co-planar relation to said character-forming electrodes for electrically connecting corresponding electrodes in each set to enable an electrical potential to be applied simultaneously to corresponding selected electrodes in each set, certain of said connector means electrically connecting the corresponding central electrodes of each set, and certain of said connector means electrically connecting a combination of a left-side and a right-side electrode of a given set with corresponding electrodes of the other sets; a second plate; left and right common electRodes on said second plate for each set; a central member positioned between said first and second plates for defining said character cells; means for sealing said first plate, said central member, and said second plate together, thereby forming a gas-tight structure; an excitable gas filling said character cells; and means associated with the corresponding left and right common electrodes of the sets to enable a potential to be applied sequentially to one and then the other of the left and right common electrodes of the various sets, whereby a potential difference of predetermined magnitude may be produced between selected character-forming electrodes of each set and the corresponding left or right common electrode of the set, to produce sequentially a character display corresponding to one and then the other of the selected left-side and right-side character-forming electrodes, together with corresponding portions of the central character-forming electrodes.
 17. The plasma display device of claim 16 in which the left-side and right-side electrodes of each set which are connected by the connector means are symmetrical with respect to each other. 